Wake up to crispy breakfast potatoes, Southern style. Coated in a layer of pimento cheese, this skillet creation is sure to be a hit. Boiled to perfection before sizzling in the skillet, the potatoes are crunchy on the outside while remaining tender within. The pimento cheese transforms the potatoes into a breakfast side dish that goes with everything, and you only need 3 ingredients!

An iron skillet with breakfast potatoes.

The Best Cheesy Breakfast Potatoes

These breakfast potatoes made with pimento cheese are crispy on on the outside and perfectly tender on the inside. Sauteed in bacon grease adds an extra layer of flavor and pimento cheese gives them that Southern twist.

You’ll love them with scrambled or baked eggs or a breakfast casserole or quiche, perfect for any brunch or breakfast spread. Amazing served with candied bacon for some sweet and savory.

These skillet potatoes could not be easier to make. They only need 3 ingredients to put together, and almost all of the cooking time is hands-off so you won’t burn the bacon or the toast! It’s similar to a breakfast hash but without the meat.

They hardly require any effort at all and are perfect for serving a hungry crowd. If you’ve ever had guests stay overnight, you know the dilemma of making a delicious hot breakfast but not wanting to spend hours in the kitchen. These potatoes are perfect for serving your guests because they go with anything and are so easy to make.

To round out your breakfast, serve the potatoes with crispy bacon, fresh-cut fruit salad, and a quiche. And even though I call these breakfast potatoes, they are an excellent side dish to serve at a casual dinner. You could have them with a burger or grilled chicken.

Can I make breakfast potatoes ahead of time?

These crispy breakfast potatoes are a great option for making in advance. While they are best enjoyed fresh, you can partially prepare them ahead of time by boiling the potatoes first. Store them in the refrigerator overnight and crisp them up the next morning for a quicker breakfast.

Why do I need to boil the potatoes first?

Boiling the potatoes first helps them stay tender on the inside as the outside of the potato gets crispy. It also prevents the potatoes from burning before the inside is finished cooking. Parboiling the potatoes to partially cook them is also what gives you crispy oven roasted potatoes.

Why You’ll Love Breakfast Potatoes

Quick and Easy: These potatoes come together super fast, leaving you with more time to enjoy a cup of coffee, chat with friends, and keep you out of the hot kitchen during the summer.
Crispy and Creamy: The combination of perfectly crispy potatoes and melted pimento cheese creates a fabulous texture and flavor contrast.
Comforting and Satisfying: These breakfast potatoes are a warm and hearty side dish perfect for breakfast, lunch, or dinner.

A spatula full of crispy skillet potatoes.

What is pimento cheese?

Pimento cheese is a Southern spread made most commonly from cheddar cheese, mayonnaise, and pimento peppers. There are lots of brands of pimento cheese available in grocery stores across the South, but of course, you can always make your own!

Pimento cheese is a perfect combination of sweet and creamy and can be used in so many ways. Lots of times, you’ll see it served as a cheese ball and served with crackers, but it has many other applications. Use it as the base for a hot cheesy dip, or use it to flavor fluffy, pillowy biscuits, or make it the perfect savory sauce for these breakfast potatoes.

Breakfast Potato Recipe Ingredients

Potatoes and pimento cheese for breakfast potatoes. — Just 2 ingredients plus oil.

Potatoes: I like Yukon gold potatoes for this recipe because they stay creamy on the inside while the outside of the potato pieces get nice and crispy. You can use any type of potato though.
Pimento Cheese: Pimento cheese tastes great and makes an excellent “sauce” for the potatoes as it melts over them. If you can’t find pimento cheese in your grocery store, you can follow my recipe to make it at home. It’s a super simple and straightforward recipe and ultra-amazing on top of these potatoes. You can also use other creamy, flavored cheeses like Boursin or Alouette.
Bacon Grease: This will add flavor but if you don’t have any, vegetable oil or olive oil work great.

How To Make The Best-Ever Crispy Breakfast Potatoes

Step 1: Prepare the potatoes.

Cut the potatoes into bite-sized pieces.

Diced potatoes on a cutting board. — Dice the potatoes into bite size pieces.

Place the cut potatoes into a pot of salted boiling water and cook until they’re just barely fork-tender, meaning you can just use a fork to break them in half but they are not done enough to eat.

Drain the potatoes thoroughly before frying. You don’t want water in your pan!

Step 2: Cook the potatoes.

Heat vegetable oil or bacon grease in a large skillet and add the potatoes. Let them cook undisturbed until the bottom side is golden brown. Then, you can stir the potatoes and brown them on another side. That golden outside is where all the yummiest flavor will be.

Potatoes browned on one side. — Brown on one side and turn.

A skilled of browned potatoes. — Brown on all sides until crispy.

Season the potatoes with salt and pepper to taste.

Step 3: Add the pimento cheese.

Remove the potatoes from the heat and stir in the pimento cheese. Serve the breakfast potatoes while hot.

Pimento cheese added to potatoes in a skillet. — Add the pimento cheese to the cooked potatoes.

Tips for Crispy Skillet Potatoes

Partially cook the potatoes: This step ensures that the potatoes are tender on the inside while achieving a crispy exterior without burning the potatoes.
Avoid overcrowding the skillet: Cook the potatoes in batches if needed, allowing enough space for them to crisp up evenly.
Resist the temptation to stir too often: Allowing the potatoes to cook undisturbed for a few minutes at a time helps them develop a crispy crust.

How to Store Breakfast Potatoes

In the fridge: Place any leftover breakfast potatoes in an airtight container and store them in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.

In the freezer: If you want to extend the shelf life, you can freeze cooked breakfast potatoes for up to 2 months in a freezer-safe container or zip-top bag. The texture of the potatoes will be different after being frozen.

How to reheat: To reheat, simply warm the potatoes in a skillet over medium heat, stirring occasionally, until heated through. Alternatively, you can reheat them in a toaster oven.

Potatoes Skillet Breakfast FAQs

Can I use sweet potatoes instead of regular potatoes?

Sweet potatoes have a different flavor and texture than regular potatoes. That said, you definitely can use sweet potatoes for this recipe. The cooking time may change, so keep a close eye on everything as you cook.

Can I use olive oil instead of vegetable oil or bacon grease?

Any oil will work for these potatoes. Olive oil, and bacon fat will contribute flavor to the potatoes, while neutral oils like vegetable, canola, or avocado oil won’t offer any additional taste. They will all work to help the potatoes get perfectly crispy and delicious.

Can I add other seasonings to the potatoes?

I find that the pimento cheese gives these potatoes all the flavor they need, but feel free to experiment with your favorite herbs and spices. Garlic powder, paprika, or dried herbs like thyme or rosemary can add extra flavor.

More Scrumptious Potato Recipes to Try

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